How does one get beautiful models (like those Mike Dixon uses), and how much do they cost?

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Hello all, i am wanting to try some portraiture of models (no nudes) just good looking portraits of good looking people i could use in a portfolio. I would like to take shots in a similar vein to those full body shots Mike Dixon makes. What I was wondering was where one can look to get such models, how much they cost? Would this be on a per hour basis, per picture basis, etc? Or is it one of those things where you need to be charming and sweet talking and get them to do it for free?

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002

Answers

Best ask Mike.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 01, 2002.

There is the old saying 'If you have to ask how much you probably can't afford it!' Seriously Matthew just get out there and do it. You may get rejected along the way but keep on trying. Men handle rejection pretty well because they have a lot of experience with it. Good luck.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.

Charming and sweet talking no, sincere yes. I dont think you'd want to pay for models - but can get apsiring models for free many times in exchange for providing them with prints or composites.

If this is a "for fun" thing only, I suggest that you try friends and aquaintances, maybe coworkers. Working with even aspiring models requires work and dedication on your part, and follow through to provide quality work to them in exchange for their services.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), April 01, 2002.


Try college girls.Put ads on kiosks/billboards or in the Photo/Art Dept.But you better be on the up and up because there are a lot of issues here.

-- Emile de Leon (knightpeople@msn.com), April 01, 2002.

It's better to get them to pay you. Actresses and models are always in need of new shots for casting agents, print media, and the like. Sometimes they need simple headshots; other times they are trying to break into fashion and "print work," as they call it, and so need full body shots. Models can make scads of money wearing sweaters in the Macy's circulars, for example.

Anyway, it's best if you have some sort of portfolio to show them. Shoot your friends for free or at cost. A lot of the paying work comes through referrals. Every actress who needs a B&W headshot has a friend who's trying to make it as a model. You get the idea.

The market determines how much you should charge. Some photographers charge by the session and deliver a small package of prints. Some also include hair & makeup (stange, isn't it?). Your own costs and what it's all worth to you are the most important factors.

I don't do terribly much of this here in New York, but I do shoot enough actresses' (and actors') headshots to make some regular cash on the side. I've also taken publicity shots for a singer's cabaret show, production stills for an independent film, stuff like that. Most actress/model types do lots of different kinds of work, or have friends who do.

University theatre departments and independent dance studios are great places to advertise (with a flyer in the bulletin board). College seniors are putting portfolios together and beginning to meet with commercial agents. I know these things are easy to find it New York.

If you have a quality (and tasteful) portfolio, a selection of testamonials, and some good referrals, you won't have any trouble selling your services. Good luck!

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), April 01, 2002.



Trade for prints with aspiring models. How do you find them? Look for women who have that look. It's pretty simple.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), April 01, 2002.

Matthew,

While there are numerous ways of connecting with so-called wannabe models on a time-for-prints (TFP) basis (or "testing" as it is called within official, land-based modeling circles), or even connecting with real models, you may be far better off in the long run booking with experienced models who really have the look you want. And, don't forget to book a professional makeup artist, as well. The choice of models (pro or amateur) is really a matter of what you want to do with the portfolio. If you intend to use it as a real assignment-generating tool, you should consider investing in the effort wisely.

Depending on your location, you can likely book with a reasonably good model for the type of work you are describing for around $400 as a day rate. A reasonably good makeup artist may run $100-$200 for a couple of looks, more for the full day. Be sure to explain clearly what you are doing, so they understand it is not a real commercial project with a client's budget behind it.

Feel free to e-mail me with your location (city, state), and I may be able to point you to a few resources.

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), April 01, 2002.


While I've paid to attend a couple of workshops that had professional models and makeup artists in addition to talks by skilled pros and great networking opportunities, I've never directly paid a model for my personal work. As you can see from the excellent answers so far, there are many ways of finding models with whom to work.

Once you have some solid photos to show potential models (even if they are just of "real people"), it makes it much easier to attract models. There are a lot of things you can learn from an experienced model, but you really need a certain skill level before you can fully benefit from what they offer. A very big part of successful people photography is how you and the subject relate to each other, and that aspect is developed through experience.

Charm and flattery certainly have their place in building a model's confidence, but you have to be very respectful in your approach--you don't want to do anything that the model will interpret as you hitting on her.



-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 02, 2002.


Mikes advice is right on the money, especially remaining professional yet relaxed in your dealings with models. I'm an advertising Creative Director that supervises major print and TV shoots. In recent years, I've begun to branch out into my own photography business shooting local and national work. I've benifited greatly by watching photographers like Mike work with models. The more confident ( not arrogant) and natural you are, the more the model will relax and add to the shoot. It would be great if you could watch a good shooter work. It's an invaluable experience. Also, check if there is a local club and/or school that provides models. It could get you started and familar. Once you get a few good samples, you could contact a local talent agency and offer to help aspiring models with their comp sheets. As any photographer like Mike can attest to, once you successfully do this, you will be turning down beautiful women because they'll flock to you. But getting there ain't easy. You've got to put a lot into every opportunity. And it's essential to learn what lens draw works with what face shape, and how to vary angles to flatter the models' best features while deminishing her flaws. Skilled and sensitive photographers are what make these women look really beautiful. In the hands of a hack, even the most beautiful woman looks horrible ( well, maybe not horrible ).

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), April 02, 2002.

Oh, I forgot....Mike, I have a lot of national work to let, and am always looking for a new look and a fresh take. Our Art Directors wouldn't mind seeing some of your people work. We also do a ton of food , usually out of NY or Chicago, but we're always looking. If you're interested, send me an e-mail and I'll tell you where to send your porfolio. Where are you located again? The local photographers here in the Detroit area aren't that good with people, since the big bucks is to be had in shooting cars. So, for people we have to travel or import the photographic talent. So, why not a fellow Leica shooter?

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), April 02, 2002.


Girls (that's what they're called in the industry) sometimes need photos for their portfolios and will work TFP (trade for prints). If you see someone you'd like to shoot, hand them a card, explain who you are and what you want. Be sweet, charming and don't come off like a sleaze. If you can afford to pay, then offer a modest amount--say $25 per hour.

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), April 02, 2002.


Mike, nice shot of a very pretty girl, well done. If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose to crop off the top of her head? Enquiring minds want to know...

-- Don M (maldos@cox.net), April 02, 2002.

Marc, you've got mail. (If you don't, let me know.)

Don, I do it mostly to annoy people. ; )

The serious answer is that I often like to have the eyes (and/or some other critical element of the photo) near the edge of the frame in the final image because it seems to create a certain visual tension.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 02, 2002.


Hey Peter, after looking at that shot, I thought you were going to suggest contacting the county probation officer for referrals.

I told you I was in a mood today, (it's a tax thing ;^).

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), April 02, 2002.


Thanks to everybody for your responses. As per your suggestions, I think I am going to either try to hang out with a pro while doing a shoot, or get into some form of workshop when i have the time.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 02, 2002.


Mike Nice shot. To bad the computer screen doesn't do it justice

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 02, 2002.

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